Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1887-11-11

young, whether spirit or flesh. But not
this morning, Nam. II Kitty is in the
room" He looked about and then
came three sharp raps from behind the
e-pace-"then beg of her to be serious
or to go. Because this is serious mat
ter"
Again three raps were heard.
81 think, Mr.. Berry" said Lavinia,
that you may trust Katie this morn
ing"
II hope may, Nam" He put his nat
on the floor and took off his overcoat and
comforter. 81 hope | may; for this is a
very serious morning with me, Nam, the
most serious, | may say, in my life"
Good gracious, Mr.. Berry, "--Lavinia
was startled at the haggard look in his
face which was generally comfortable
and ontented-'what has happened ?"
Nothing, Nam, yet. But a great deal
may happen"
well, sit down. Mr.. Berry, and tell me
all that's in your mind"
Mr.. Berry looked round the room.
''Ha !" he said, give been very uneasy
I've been awake two long nights think
ing of it, But there's holy calm in this
room. 1t soothes my mind only to be
here, MANI feel better already"
The shabbiness of the furniture did not
appeal to him, nor the pOverty-strlcken
aspect of the place; he knew all about
poverty, and shabbiness of furniture had
hood and the artistic side of his charac-
ter, if he had any, was wholly undevelop-
ed. This was the room where he had con
yersed with the spirits; it was sanctitied
to him by the awe with which even the
most frivolous messages struck his soul /;
it was to him as sacred and as holy a place
as any Baptist chapel to a fervent be-
lever.
st is my own business that | am come
about, Mrs. Medlock, Mam"-he leaned
forward, breathing hard, ut may be ruin
and the workhouse. Listen carefully.
Don't let the spirits make so much as
single rap till you have heard the case
right through. Do you know what my
profession has been ?"
"No, sir, do not. That is q question
which | can never put to any spirits"
81 have been all my life, Nam, clerk
in the service Of great company" He
paused to let his words produce their full
effect. "Never mind the name of that
company. 1t was formerly a big house of
business, owned by a single man, who
made a great fortune and died. Then his
sons turned it into Limited Company.
I've been in that house, under the father
and the sons and the Board of Directors,
for fifty years"
"Well, Mr. Berry ~
81 was always a careful man, and had
no wife to spend and squander. | saved
money. When | retired from the COM
pany's service last year they gave me a
small pension; and one of the drec tors
offered me. very kindly, as | thought, as
many shares in the company as my say
ings would buy, They give fifteen per
cent on the issue price, and | get, at the
price bought them-for they've gone up
since-slX-and-a-h half per cent SO that |
thought | was doing pretty we'll"
"Yon certainly did very well, Mr..
Berry,
yes, 80 thought. But yesterday | got
news which knocked me over. 1t came
from an old friend in the house. He says
he has found out the truth. He says that
the house-it's shipowning company
has been shaky for years And now it may
go any minute. On the other hand it may
keep ailOat and even weather the storm u
"Well, Mr.. Berry ?"
THAT is one mans statement. But an
other man, an Older friend who Is in the
confidence of the Directors, tells me that
| the company never was so safe and the
shares never so high and never so certain
to 90 higher"
"WellY"
"Well-what am to do? If | believe
the second man | may be ruined if he is
wrong. If believe the first man | shall
have to sell at once, and | shall have tC
put up with three and Il half or four pei
cent, instead OF six and Il half and if he
is wrong shall have shown that | have
no confidence in the old house where
have made my living. Advise me, Mrs
MedlUck. It's life or death to me, to dc
the right thing now. | never asked you
before on anything half so serious. Lie
and death it is Tell me if the company
is safe. Put it fair and square to them
oh it is life or death or the workhOuse
to me. All my savings-all-are II the
company"
Mrs. Medlock put tine question. But she
trembled and turned pale, because this
she saw, was a juncture beyond hel
| powers to control. And if she misdirected
her Old friend-one may be medium and
yet have affections and passions-sht
would consign him to workhouse. Anc
she could not rely upon her spirits. There
fore she awaited the result with terror,
The answer began with hailstorm Of
raps, apparently from all parts of the
room at the same time. Presently they
all all ceased except from under the table
and the message began.
1t is slow work receiving messages by
raps, and It'll greatly to be desired that the
spirits would adopt the tape system, which
is rapidly and easily read.
Presently, after many futile messages
and seeing Mrs. Medlock's face growing
paler and more detected Mr.. Berry sprane
to his feet.
"It's too much" he said. There /;
ruin before me, and she tells me 1othine
but that she is happy and so is her grand
mother; Damn her grandmother, Mrs
Medlock ~
Lavinia burst into tears.
II am so sorry" she said. Oflate l seen
to have lost my power | am the sport o
the spirits. Oh, my poor old friend, wha
shah do for you? what can | do TO
you Oh and after all these years AnC
when | ought to guide you IN your diff
Guilty Oh it's no use to go on-not bi
of use" She wrung her hands while Mr.
Berry sat down, and gazed at her blankly
Then an idea struck her.
"Mr. Berry" she said. There's won
derful young man staying with Lad
Augusta Brudenel."
with whom ?" he asked sharply.
with Lady Augusta and Mr.. Cyru
Brudenel. Let me ask him."
mo, no not the Brudenels-not tn
Brudenels."
81 don't want to ask them. | will no
mentioAany names. l will only say
Herr Paulus, here is case" and wi
tell him your case. Advise me on it fo
this gentleman'-and perhaps he will &C
vise-'and say nothing to anybody .abou
it, and he will keep the secret. Oh MI
Berry it's our only chance. Let me as
him. Let me. oh my poor old frient
vny, hava 6ona on nuph for me- LET m